LIGHT FOR HOPE. Senator and vice presidential aspirant Alan Peter Cayetano holds up a clenched fist as he leads the crowd in attendance in lighting up torches to signify their hope for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential run. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
Ruling on Sen. Poe’s citizenship convinced mayor to confirm bid
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was a no-show at a rally that was supposed to officially confirm his bid for the country’s presidency.
But that didn’t stop an estimated 5,000 people from cheering Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who said Mayor Duterte will run for the presidency in next year’s elections.
“Sabi po ni Mayor iparating sa inyong lahat, siya po ay tatakbo bilang pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas (The mayor said to tell all of you that he will run for president of the Republic of the Philippines),” the senator and vice presidential hopeful told the crowd that gathered at the soccer field of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Lahug, Cebu City yesterday afternoon.
Cayetano’s announcement was greeted with cheers and applause as the senator led the lighting of torches held by most of the crowd while Cebuana singer Jacky Garcia sang the ‘70s song “You Light Up My Life.”
Senator Cayetano told the crowd that Duterte already announced his presidential bid last Saturday evening at the home of the mayor’s best friend in Cavite province.
Citizenship
The senator said the mayor decided to run for the presidency after expressing disappointment over the Senate Electoral Tribunal’s (SET) ruling that affirmed Sen. Grace Poe is a natural-born Filipino citizen.
“Una, galit siya sa tanim-droga, galit siya sa tanim-bala, galit siya sa tanim-citizenship na babaguhin mo ang Constitution para lang ang isang mataas sa survey ay pwedeng tumakbo samantalang hindi siya qualified na tumakbo sa ating bansa (First, he is angry at those who plant drugs and bullets and those who change citizenships. That one can change the Constitution for someone who ranks high in the survey so that person can run even if the person is not qualified),” Cayetano said.
Senator Cayetano was at a party in Dasmariñas, Cavite when the mayor showed up and reportedly announced his bid for the presidency.
Yesterday’s rally at the UP Cebu grounds was dubbed “Rock for Federalism or a Call for Federalism and Genuine Change.”
Paul Melendez, public information officer of the Duterte for President Movement, said the lighting of the torches symbolized the hope of the Filipino people for genuine change now that Duterte has decided to run.
Melendez said the event was meant to convince Duterte to run for president.
But because he already made the decision to run, the activity instead was a show of support for Duterte and his campaign for federalism. The Mabolo police estimated the crowd at 5,000.
Manila-based singers Luke Mejares, Thor Dulay, Paolo Santos and Jimmy Bondoc performed at the event.
Bondoc sang the song Takbo (Run) which he composed last October to convince Duterte to run.
Four big empty bottles of mineral water were displayed at the entrance for the Piso Para sa Pagbabago campaign.
Sign up
As of 6 p.m. yesterday, one bottle remained empty while the others contained a few coins inside.
A booth was also set up for those wishing to volunteer for Duterte’s campaign. Their name, address and contact numbers were listed.
When some of those who signed up were asked why they joined, some of them like Yolanda Domine and Felix Garcia of barangay Tisa said they were just told to go to the booth and sign up.
At least 100 persons wearing red shirts from barangay Looc, Mandaue City attended the rally.
Vilma Garciano, leader of the group, said they were organized by their barangay chairman Sol Cabahug who is running for councilor under Mandaue City Councilor and mayoral candidate Lolypop Ouano-Dizon.
Clean slate
She said they were supporting Duterte because he is Dizon’s candidate.
“Kon asa si Lolypop, adto pod mi (Whoever Lolypop supports, we also support),” the group chorused.
About 300 people from barangays Bangbang and Camolinas in Cordova town, who were supporters of Provincial Board Member and Cordova mayoral candidate Arleigh Sitoy, attended the rally.
Sitoy is running under the PDP-Laban, which is waiting on Duterte to formalize his bid for the presidency.
For his part, vice presidential aspirant and Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said it’s a clean slate for every candidate aspiring for the highest post in the country, with Duterte’s possible inclusion in the presidential race.
Final word
Reacting to Duterte’s statements last Saturday where he hinted his possible presidential bid, Marcos hoped that this will be the mayor’s final word on the matter, following his on-and-off statements about his presidential intentions.
Duterte said that the presidency is “on the table” after SET junked the petition against Sen. Grace Poe disqualifying her from office over her allegedly questionable citizenship.
“If this is the final word, then we can all finally end the speculation. Lahat ng surveys (All survey results are) ‘back to the drawing board’,” Marcos said in a statement.
He even considered Duterte’s possible presidential bid as “good news.”
Last month, Marcos flew to Davao City to court Duterte’s support. Duterte, in turn, said he is willing to help Marcos.
However, Marcos was named as the running mate of presidential aspirant and Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago./With Inquirer reports and Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza